Lunch kit



w. M. POTTER.

LUNCH KIT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4.4920

Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- W. M. POTTER.

LUNCH KIT.

APPLICATION FILED 0130.4, 1920.

1,404,405, Patented Jan. 24, 1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- z: 5 a I, 4 5.7 "M

55 7 l 1 I i I I I :35

f; 4 J M/mzzr PATENT OFFICE.

WASHINGTON M. POTTER, OF FREEDOM, PENNSYLVANIA.

LUNCH KIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

Application filed December 4, 1920. Serial No. 428,343.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WASHINGTON M. Por- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Freedom, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lunch Kits, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in lunch kits and primarily it is an objectof the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which is an improvement upon the type of lunch kit particularly disclosed in my Patent No. 1,380,019, dated May 31, 1921.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character embodying novel and im roved means whereby the same may be e ectively supported in proper position for use as a table.

he invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved lunch kit whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensiveand otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-' panying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a. vertical sectional view taken through my improved device when employed as a table, the coacting and adjacent portions of an automobile being diagrammatically indicated by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through my improved device when folded or compacted to be used as a receptacle or container.

Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the device as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in bottom plan of the device as illustrated in Figure 2, with the supporting legs omitted.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the support ing legs in extended or working positlon, with only the bottom panel of the receptacle illustrated.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in perspective illustrating an end portion of the kit in folded arrangement.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a bottom panel or section preferably oblong in form and having hingedly connected with each longitudinal margin thereof a side wall or panel 3.

4 and 19 denote end members or panels, each removably maintained in applied position when the device is compacted or folded for use as a receptacle or container. Each of the panels 4 and 19 has the bottom and side marginal portions defined by the inwardly disposed flanges 5which overlie the outer faces of the bottom member or panel 1 and the side members or'panels 8 when in folded relation. Extending along the upper edge of the end panel 4 or 19 is a strip 8 of a. width sufficient, when in one position, to overlie the top panel or member 9. Each end of the strip 8 is provided with an inwardly directed web or flange 10 pivotally engaged, as at 11, with an upper corner or portion of a side member or panel 3 so that the strip 8inay be readily swung to facilitate the removal of the end member or panel 4 or to facilitate the maintenance thereof in applied position.

9 denotes a top panel which snugly fits between the upper marginal portions of the side members or panels 3 and the end members or panels 4 and 19. The to panel 9 is held against removal, when app ied, by the strips 16 extending along the outer or upper longitudinal margins of the side members or panels 3, each of said strips being of a width to overlie the adjacent longitudinal marginal portion of the applied top member or panel 9. Each end portion of a strip 16 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 17 which is pivotally engaged, as at 18, with an end edge of the side panel 3 so that the strip 16 may be readily swung into either an operative or inoperative position. The strips 8 in the adjacent end portions of the top panel 9 are provided with the coacting locking members 20.

One end portion of the bottom panel 1 is provided with an engaging structure A and which coacts with one or more brackets 31 as is particularly described and claimed in my pending application hereinbefore mentioned. 7

My present invention particularly relates to means for supporting the end portion of the bottom panel 1 remote from the engaging structure A when the device is being used as a table. The longitudinal marginal portions of the bottom panel 1 are defined by the depending flanges or ribs 51 and the under face of said bottom panel adjacent its ends and substantially midway its length is provided with the transversely disposed bracing cleats or members 52, each of a length to terminate a distance inwardly of the flanges or ribs 51 whereby the channels 53 are provided.

Coacting with the end portion of the bot tom panel 1 remote from the engaging structure A is a pair of leg sections 54. Each of said leg sections 54 has one end portion pivotally supported, as at 55, within a channel 53 and said leg sections are substantially coextensive in length with the bottom panel 1 so that when said leg sections are compacted with respect to said panel,

they will snugly contact with the bottom of the panel 1 and be received in a longitudinally alined series of channels 58.

Pivotally engaged with the outer or free end portion of each of the leg sections 54 is a second leg section 56 which is adapted to be alined with the leg section 54. The leg sections 54 and 56 are maintained in al-inement by a sleeve or barrel 57 slidable upon the sections 54 and 56 and which is adapted to be moved into a position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 to lock the joint between the sections 54 and 56.

The sleeves or barrels 57 coacting with the sets of leg sections 54 and 56 are connected by an interposed web or plate 58 so that the sleeves or barrels 57 will be adjusted or moved in unison.

WVhen the leg sections 54 are folded or compacted in close contact with the under surface of the bottom panel 1, the sleeves or barrels 57 are moved inwardly of the leg sections 54 so that the leg sections 56 may be folded upwardly, the end channels 53 remote from the pivotal mounting of the leg sections 54 terminating in notches or reces es 59 to receive said leg sections 56 when up wardly disposed or directed inwardly of the device when compacted or folded to provide a receptacle or container.

It is to be understood that the leg sections 54 and 56 are folded or compacted before the end members or panels 4 and 19 are applied. The members 4 and 19, when applied, serve to hold said folded leg sections 54 and 56 in said folded or compacted condition and particularly through the instrumentality of the flanges 5 and the swinging strips 8.

n practice, the engaging means of the bottom panel 1 is applied to the bracket or brackets 31 and preferably after the sets of leg sections 54 and 56 have been locked into alined position. The alined leg sections 54 and 56 are inclined inwardly and downwardly to engage the floor of the automo bile or the like, such angle being such as to maintain the bottom panel 1 in desired position. By this particular arrangement of the supporting leg sections 54 and 56 and as is illustrated in Figure 1, it will be at once obvious that provision is made whereby the possibility of the device when mounted for use as a table, being displaced as by contact of the feet with the supporting leg sections is substantially entirely eliminated.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a lunch kit constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is sus ceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A lunch. kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedlly connected-thereto, removable end panels, a top panel, a supporting leg section pivotally engaged with one end portion of the bottom panel and substantially of a length coextensive withthe length of the bottom panel, and a second leg section pivotally engaged with the outer end portion of the first leg section and foldable inwardly of the kit when compacted, with the first leg section closely adjacent to the bottom panel, an end panel holding said leg sections in their folded relation.

2. A lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, removable end panels, a. top panel, a supporting leg section pivotally engaged with one end portion of the bottom panel and sub stantially of a length coextensive with the length of the bottom panel, a second leg section pivotally engaged with the outer end portion of the first leg section and foldable 115 inwardly of the kit when compacted, with the first leg section closely adfiacent to the bottom panel, an end panel holding said leg sections in their folded relation, and means 00- acting wit-h the leg sections for holding the 12 same substantially alined when extended.

3. A lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, removable end panels, a top panel, a supporting leg section pivotally engaged with one 12 end portion of the bottom panel and substantially of a. length coextensive with the length of the bottom panel, a second leg section pivotally engaged with the outer end portion of the first leg section and foldable inwardly 130 of the kit when compacted, with the first leg section closely adjacent to the bottom panel, an end panel holding said leg sections in their folded relation, and a sleeve slidab-le along the leg sections for looking the same, when in one position, substantially in alinement.

4:. A lunch, kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, removable end panels, a top panel, a supporting leg section pivotally engaged with one end portion of the bottom panel and substantially of a length coextensive with the length of the bottom panel, and a second leg section pivotally engaged with the outer end portion of the first leg section and folda-ble inwardly of the kit when compacted, with the first leg section closely adjacent to the bottom panel, an end panel holding said leg sections in their folded relation, a face of the bottom panel being provided with channels to receive the first named leg section when moved immediately adjacent the bottom panel.

5. A lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, end panels, one of said end panels being removable, a supporting leg section hingedly connected with an end portion of the bottom panel and of a length substantially coextensive with the length of the bottom panel, and a second leg section pivotally engaged with the outer end portion of the first named leg section and foldable inwardly of the kit When compacted, said removable end panel, a

when applied, holding the leg sections in folded relation. In testimony signature.

WASHINGTON M. POTTER.

whereof I hereunto aflix my 

